568 Years in Prison for Genocide

For the greatest crime committed on the European continent after World War II - genocide - as well as other crimes committed nearly 20 years ago against Bosniaks in Podrinje, a total of 30 defendants have been finally convicted to a total of 568 years in prison, reports the Patria News Agency.

The Hague Tribunal has finally convicted not only high-ranking military commanders but also ordinary soldiers for these crimes. The longest sentence was handed down to Radislav Krstić, a general of the Army of Republika Srpska - 35 years in prison for aiding and abetting genocide.

The Tribunal also convicted Zdravko Tolimir, former assistant to Ratko Mladić and wartime head of military intelligence, to life imprisonment. Dragan Obrenović, Dražen Erdemović, Vidoje Blagojević, and Dragan Jokić have also been finally convicted.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has also convicted several officials of the Army of Republika Srpska for crimes in Srebrenica. Milorad Trbić, former head of security for the Zvornik Brigade, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Franc Kos, Stanko Kojić, Vlastimir Golijan, and Zoran Goronja were also convicted.

The sentences of seven convicted individuals for aiding in genocide were reduced by the Court of BiH after it was determined that the Criminal Code of the former SFRY was applied in their cases, instead of the Criminal Code of BiH.

To date, several individuals have been acquitted of participation in genocide by the Court of BiH and the Hague Tribunal. Here are some of the most notable cases:

The Appeals Chamber of the Hague Tribunal has finally acquitted Momčilo Perišić, former general of the Yugoslav Army, for, among other things, crimes in Srebrenica.

The Hague Tribunal also issued a first-instance acquittal verdict for Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović, former members of the Serbian State Security Service, who were also charged with crimes committed by members of the "Scorpions" formation.

Trials Underway

Proceedings for genocide, crimes against humanity, and violations of the laws and customs of war are underway before the Hague Tribunal against Radovan Karadžić, former president of Republika Srpska, and Ratko Mladić, former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska. (Aljazeera.)